Container with cap structure

ABSTRACT

A cap structure may include a base and a cap, where the base may include a periphery configured to be mounted over a rim of an opening of a container. The base may include a hollow neck, extending from the base for facilitating flow of liquid from the container through and out of the neck. The neck may include a flange extending annularly around the neck, so as to define an annular step. The cap may include a plurality of inwardly protruding projections, configured to snap over the step when the cap is mounted over the neck.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers of liquid. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a container with a capstructure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers, such as bottles, jars and the like may include a top openingdesigned to allow filling and dispensing liquid into or out of thecontainer. A cap may be provided to keep the liquid contained within thecontainer inside and to avoid inadvertent spill.

Some state-of-the-art caps may be adapted to be attached to respectivecontainer neck openings by screwing the cap over the opening of thecontainer in a rotational motion. Such motion may be experienced assomewhat annoying as it involves some rotation of the cap and asdifficult in conditions where a user may have limited motioncapabilities, such as in a case of a handicapped user or a user who maybe practicing a sport while drinking from the container.

Some state-of-the-art container caps may be adapted to be attached torespective containers (e.g., bottles) by, for example, plugging the capover the opening of the container in a direct linear motion. Such capsmay require exertion of force in order be snapped in position and toobtain firm sealing of the container and may also require exertion offorce in order to detach the cap from the opening. A force applied onthe cap may cause unintentional disengagement of the cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the invention may include a cap structure that mayinclude a base and a cap. The base may include a periphery, configuredto be mounted over a rim of an opening of a container.

The base may include a hollow neck that may extend from the base forfacilitating flow of liquid from the container through and out of theneck. The neck may include a flange extending annularly around the neck,so as to define an annular step.

The cap may include a plurality of inwardly protruding projectionsconfigured to snap over the step when the cap is mounted over the neck.

The cap may include a rotatable sleeve configured to engulf theplurality of inwardly protruding projections. The rotatable sleeve maybe configured to rotate between a first, default position and a second,rotated position.

In the first default position, the sleeve may prevent the plurality ofinwardly protruding projections from retracting so as to hold the caponto the neck.

In the second, rotated position, the sleeve may be configured to alloweach of the plurality of inwardly protruding projections to retract, soas to allow removal of the cap from the neck.

The sleeve may include inwardly facing dents. The inwardly facing dentsmay, in the second rotated position, each face an inwardly protrudingprojection of the plurality of inwardly protruding projections. In thiscondition, each of the plurality of inwardly protruding projections mayretract into one of the inwardly facing dents, to allow removal of thecap from the neck.

The sleeve may be coupled to a spring which may hold the sleeve in thedefault position and/or return the sleeve from the second, rotatedposition to the first, default position.

The cap may include an annular stopper that may be adapted to enter thehollow neck and may be associated with the sleeve (e.g., via chassis 380and spring 350 as elaborated in relation to FIG. 7).

An inner side of the hollow neck may include an inlayed ridge that maybe adapted to cooperate with the annular stopper, so as to stop a motionof the cap when the cap is pressed shut.

The inlayed ridge may include one or more portions that are slanted inrelation to an axis parallel to a direction of mounting or dismountingof the cap from the neck, and the annular stopper may include one ormore slanted indentations matching to the one or more slanted portionsof the inlayed ridge.

The one or more slanted indentations of the annular stopper may beconfigured to cooperate with the one or more slanted portions of theinlayed ridge, so as to raise the cap with respect to the neck when thesleeve is turned.

The cap may include a chassis, attached to the spring on a first side,and thus coupled to the sleeve on the first side, and attached to theannular stopper on a second side.

The chassis may include a plurality of apertures, adapted torespectively house the plurality of inwardly protruding projections,while enabling the protruding projections to reach the annular step whenthe cap is closed.

The cap may include a ring gasket adapted to seal a gap between thechassis and the hollow neck, to prevent leakage of fluid therethrough.

The spring may be fixed at a first end in an aperture that may beincluded in the chassis and may thus be attached to the chassis. Thespring may be fixed at a second end in an aperture that may be includedin the sleeve and may thus couple the chassis to the sleeve. Thiscoupling may allow a user to rotate the sleeve in relation to thechassis from the default position to the rotated position and may returnthe sleeve back to the default position when the rotation stops.

The cap may further include a ring, having a first protrusion, and thebase may include a respective, second protrusion. The first protrusionand second protrusion may be connectable by a lace, so as to secure thecap.

Some embodiments of the invention may include a container assembly. Thecontainer assembly may include a container configured to hold liquid, abase and a cap. The base may include a periphery configured to bemounted over a rim of an opening of the container and the base mayinclude a hollow neck, extending from the base for facilitating flow ofthe liquid therethrough. The neck may include a flange extendingannularly around the neck, so as to define an annular step, and whereinthe cap may include a plurality of inwardly protruding projectionsconfigured to snap over the step when the cap is mounted over the neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is an illustration depicting a side view of a container assemblywith a cap structure, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1B is an illustration depicting another side view (substantiallyorthogonal to the view of FIG. 1A) of the container assembly with a capstructure shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an illustration depicting an isometric top view of thecontainer assembly shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting an isometric view of a container anda cap structure, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3A is an illustration depicting a side view of a base of a capstructure, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3B is an illustration of a cross-section view of the base of thecap structure shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an illustration depicting an isometric top view of a capstructure, with a cap attached to the base of the cap structure,according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4B is an illustration depicting an isometric top view of a capstructure, with a cap detached from the base, according to someembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting an isometric bottom view of a cap,according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6A is an illustration depicting a top view of a cap structure, withthe cap at a first, default position, according to some embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 6B is an illustration of the cap structure of FIG. 6A, with the capat a second, rotated position, according to some embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a cap, according to some embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 8A is an illustration depicting a side view of the cap, accordingto some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8B is an illustration depicting a top view cross-section of a cap,according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8C is an illustration depicting another top view cross-section ofthe cap, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9A is an illustration depicting a rear view the cap structureaccording to some embodiments of the invention, indicating a sectionline C-C;

FIG. 9B is an illustration depicting a cross-section view of capstructure 10 along section line C-C and indicating an enlargement zoneA; and

FIG. 9C is an illustration depicting cross-section view of cap structure10 along section line C-C at enlargement zone A.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.Some features or elements described with respect to one embodiment maybe combined with features or elements described with respect to otherembodiments. For the sake of clarity, discussion of same or similarfeatures or elements may not be repeated.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, forexample, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “aplurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two ormore components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. Theterm set when used herein may include one or more items. Unlessexplicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are notconstrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of thedescribed method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or beperformed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include a containerassembly, including a container that may be adapted to hold liquid(e.g., a bottle) and a corresponding cap structure. The cap structuremay include a base which may be mounted onto an opening of the containerand/or attached to the container, and a cap which may be attached to thebase, so as to seal off the container and maintain liquid within thecontainer when the cap is secured to the base.

A cap according to some embodiments of the invention may be engaged witha hollow neck extending from the base using a linear motion. Thus, thecap structure may enable rapid mounting and dismounting of the cap, soas to seal off the neck or expose it for filling or dispensing liquidinto or out of the container without requiring a rotational screwmotion.

For example, the cap may be mounted onto the neck using a linear motion,in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis ofthe neck, as explained hereinafter.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cap may include oneor more appropriate attachment elements and may be attached and/orfastened to the neck by the one or more attachment elements as known inthe art. For example, the one or more attachment elements may includeone or more inwardly protruding projections or teeth (such as elements330 of FIG. 7) extending from the cap to the neck and adapted to attachthe cap to the neck.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cap may beconfigured to detach or “pop off” the base by a slight or smallrotational or twisting motion of the cap or part thereof in relation tothe base. The term “small rotation” or “slight rotation” may relate to arotation that is substantially less than full rotation about the neck(e.g., a fraction of the cap's perimeter, such as, for example, 5-40degrees) and/or may be significantly shorter than a rotational motionrequired for screwing a cap off a container.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a slight rotationalmotion may enable retraction of the one or more attachment elements fromthe neck and may thus enable detachment of the cap from the neck by asimple linear motion in a direction substantially parallel to a centralaxis of the neck, as explained herein.

Additionally, or alternately, a slight rotational motion may enableretraction of the one or more attachment elements from the neck and maythus enable detaching or “popping off” of the cap from the neck by anadditional rotational motion, as elaborated herein.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the cap may beconfigured to detach or pop off the base by a single linear motion in adirection substantially parallel to a central axis of the neck (e.g.,without requiring a rotational motion).

For example, the one or more attachment elements may include a flexibleportion, adapted to be overcome by a linear pull motion, so as toretract from the neck and enable detachment of the cap from the neck.

In another example, the one or more attachment elements maybe associatedwith any appropriate releasing mechanism as known in the art, such as areleasing button. The releasing mechanism may be adapted to retract theone or more attachment elements from the neck and enable detachment ofthe cap from the neck by a linear motion in a direction substantiallyparallel to a central axis of the neck.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. FIG. 1A is an illustrationdepicting a side view of a container with a cap structure, according tosome embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1B is an illustration depictinganother side view (substantially orthogonal to the view of FIG. 1A) ofthe container with a cap structure shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is anillustration depicting an isometric top view of the container assemblyshown in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, container assembly 1 may include acontainer 20, designed so as to hold liquid therein, and may include acorresponding cap structure 10. Cap structure 10 may include a base 40which may be mounted onto an opening of container 20. For example, base40 may include a periphery 430 that may match the opening of container20 and may be adapted or configured to be fitted or mounted over theopening of container 20, for example by screwing the base over theopening rim of container 20, as explained herein in relation to FIG. 2.

In some embodiments of the invention, periphery 430 may interface or beattached to (e.g., screwed onto) a corresponding interface at theopening of container 20.

Cap structure 10 may further include a cap 30, which may be mounted overa hollow neck (see 450 in FIG. 3A) of base 40, so as to close or seal anopening at the top of the neck of container 20.

According to some embodiments of the invention, cap 30 may include aring having a first protrusion 311, and base 40 may include arespective, second protrusion 411. According to some embodiments of theinvention, first protrusion 311 and second protrusion 411 may beconnectable by a lace 420, so as to secure cap 30 (e.g., from fallingwhen cap 30 is not attached to base 40).

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting an isometric view of a container 20and a respective cap structure 10, according to some embodiments of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 2, cap structure 10 may include an assemblyof a cap 30 and a base 40. As shown in FIG. 2, base 40 may include aperiphery 430 configured to be mounted over an opening 210 of container20. In the example depicted in FIG. 2, periphery 430 may include aninterface such as an internal screw thread, enabling attachment of base40 to a corresponding interface, such as a corresponding external screwthread at a rim 220 of opening 210 of container 20.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A is an illustrationdepicting a side view of base 40, according to some embodiments of theinvention, indicating section line A-A. FIG. 3B is an illustrationdepicting a cross-section view of base 40 along section line A-A,according to some embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, base 40 may include a hollow neck 450,extending from the base for facilitating flow of liquid from thecontainer through and out of the neck. Neck 450 may include a flange451, extending annularly around the neck, so as to define an annularstep 452.

As shown in FIG. 3B, annular step 452 may be slanted (e.g., as marked byangle α) in relation to a line substantially parallel to a wall of theneck (e.g., as marked by line L1). As explained herein in relation toFIG. 9B and 9C, slanted step 452 may cooperate with one or more elementsof cap structure 30 (e.g., element 332 of FIG. 9B) to attach cap 30 tobase 40 and/or detach cap 30 from base 40.

As explained herein, cap 30 may include a plurality (e.g., three)inwardly protruding projections or teeth (e.g., element 330 in FIG. 5),configured to snap over step 452 when the cap is mounted over the neck,so as to hold the cap in place over neck 450.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5. FIG. 4A is an illustrationdepicting an isometric top view of a cap structure 10, with a cap 30attached to the base 40 of the cap 30, according to some embodiments ofthe invention. FIG. 4B is an illustration depicting an isometric topview of a cap structure, with a cap detached from the base, according tosome embodiments of the invention. FIG. 5 is an illustration depictingan isometric bottom view of a cap, according to some embodiments of theinvention.

As shown in FIG. 4B, cap 30 may be mounted onto neck 450 of base 40 bymoving it in a linear motion indicated by arrow 60, so as to seal neck450 (e.g., preventing liquid from passing through hollow neck 450) asshown in FIG. 4A.

As shown in FIG. 5, cap 30 may include an annular stopper 340, adaptedto enter or be plugged into hollow neck 450. An inner side of hollowneck 450 may include an inlayed ridge 460 (see FIG. 4B), adapted tocooperate with a matching structure (see indentations 341 in FIG. 7) onannular stopper 340, acting as a supporting stopper to securely supportthe cap when the cap is placed over the neck.

According to some embodiments of the invention, inlayed ridge 460 mayinclude one or more portions that are slanted in relation to an axisparallel to a direction of mounting or dismounting of the cap from theneck (e.g., slanted in relation to an axis parallel to arrow 60).Annular stopper 340 may include one or more slanted indentations 341matching to the one or more slanted portions of inlayed ridge 460. Theone or more slanted indentations 341 may be configured to cooperate withthe one or more slanted portions of inlayed ridge 460, so as to raisecap 30 with respect to neck 450 when annular stopper 340 is rotated.

Additionally, or alternately, annular stopper 340 may be associated witha sleeve 320, for example by a connecting element such as a spring, aselaborated herein. Accordingly, turning sleeve 320 may press the one ormore slanted indentations 341 against the one or more slanted portionsof inlayed ridge 460. This pressure may raise cap 30 with respect toneck 450 when sleeve 320 is turned.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is an illustrationdepicting a top view of a cap structure, with the cap at a first,default position, according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG.6B is an illustration of the cap structure of FIG. 6A, with the cap at asecond, rotated position, according to some embodiments of theinvention.

According to some embodiments of the invention, cap 30 may include arotatable sleeve 320 configured to rotate, for example, by applying atwisting motion, between a first, default position and a second, rotatedposition. Rotatable sleeve 320 may be linked to cap 30 via a spring.Sleeve 320 may be coupled to a spring (see for example, 350 in FIG. 7),which may hold sleeve 320 in the default position. (e.g., when no forceis applied to the sleeve). The spring may also be configured to returnsleeve 320 to the default position when the sleeve is rotated to thesecond rotated position and then released.

As shown in FIG. 6A, at the default position, a first feature of the cap(e.g., an indentation 323 in sleeve 320) may be aligned with a secondfeature of the cap assembly 10 (e.g., a centerline of protrusion 411).As shown in FIG. 6B, at the rotated position, sleeve 320 may be rotatedsuch that the first feature (e.g., indentation 323) may be angularlydisplaced (e.g., marked as angle ‘β’) in relation to the defaultposition.

As elaborated herein, at the first, default position, the sleeve mayengulf one or more elements such as one or more projections (e.g.,element 330 of FIG. 5) so as to hold cap 30 onto neck 450 and preventthe cap from detaching from neck 450 of base 40. Additionally, oralternatively, at the second, rotated position, sleeve 320 may enableone or more elements of cap 30 such as the one or more projections(e.g., element 330 of FIG. 5) to move or retract from neck 450, allowingremoval of cap 30 from neck 450.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is an exploded side perspectiveview of a cap, according to some embodiments of the invention. As shownin FIG. 7, cap 30 may include: a plate 360, a spring 350, a sleeve 320,a ring 310, a chassis 380, a gasket 370, an annular stopper 340 and aplurality of (e.g., three) inwardly protruding (e.g., substantiallytoward a radial center of cap 30) projections 330.

As explained in relation to FIG. 5, annular stopper 340 may act as asupporting stopper to securely support cap 30 when the cap is placedover neck 450 of base 40. Slanted indentations 341 of annular stopper340 may cooperate with the slanted portions of inlayed ridge (e.g.,element 460 of FIG. 4B) to raise cap 30 over neck 450 of base 40.

Annular stopper 340 may be attached to chassis 380 on a first side ofchassis 380. For example, chassis 380 may be attached to annular stopper340 via a ring or gasket 370 adapted to seal a gap between chassis 380and hollow neck 450 of base 40, to prevent leakage of fluid fromcontainer 20, as explained herein, in relation to FIG. 9B. Additionally,or alternatively, when cap 30 is attached to neck 450, annular stopper340 may be adapted to hold or secure gasket 370 into place, to preventleakage of fluid from container 20.

Chassis 380 may be inserted or threaded through ring 310 and sleeve 320and may be attached to cap 360. For example, plate 360 may include oneor more protrusions (e.g., element 361 of FIG. 9C), configured to snaponto one or more respective apertures 381 in chassis 380, so as toattach chassis 380 to plate 360.

Chassis 380 may be attached to spring 350 on a second side of chassis380 and may thus be coupled, via spring 350, to sleeve 320 on the secondside. For example, spring 350 may be attached or fixed at a first end351 of spring 350 to a respective aperture 384 included in chassis 380and may thus be attached to chassis 380. As explained herein, plate 360may be attached to chassis 380 at the one or more apertures 381. Plate360 may thus support spring 350 at the first end 351 when located ataperture 384, so as to prevent first end 351 from detaching fromaperture 384.

Spring 350 may be attached or fixed at a second end 352 of spring 350 toa respective aperture 322 included in sleeve 320. Chassis 380 may thusbe coupled at the second side to sleeve 320 via spring 350 and plate360. Sleeve 320 may thus be rotated (e.g., by a user) in relation tochassis 380 from the default position (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 6A) tothe rotated position (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 6B), and return back tothe default position when the rotation stops.

According to some embodiments of the invention, chassis 380 may includea plurality (e.g., three) of apertures 382, adapted to respectivelyhouse the plurality of inwardly protruding projections 330, whileenabling the protruding projections 330 to reach annular step 452 whenthe cap is closed.

Sleeve 320 may include a plurality (e.g., three) recessed portions ordents 321, configured to engulf the respective plurality (e.g., three)of inwardly protruding projections 330.

When sleeve 320 is positioned at the first, default position, sleeve 320may hold the plurality of inwardly protruding projections 330 at therespective plurality of apertures 382, so as to prevent the plurality ofinwardly protruding projections from retracting, and thus holding thecap onto the neck (e.g., element 450 of FIG. 3A).

When sleeve 320 is positioned at the second, rotated position, sleeve320 may enable the plurality of inwardly protruding projections 330 toretract into a the respective inwardly facing dents (see elements 321 ofFIG. 8C), allowing removal of the cap from the neck.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the plurality ofprojections 330 may include a first interface 331 and chassis 380 mayinclude respective plurality of second corresponding interfaces 383.First interface 331 may be adapted to connect to second, correspondinginterface 383. For example, first interface 331 and second,corresponding interface 383 may form a hinge, connecting the pluralityof inwardly protruding projections 330 by interface 331 to chassis 380,at the location of the respective plurality of second interfaces 383.

The plurality of inwardly protruding projections 330 may include a firstface 333 and a second face 334.

First face 333 may be adapted to interface the slanted face of annularstep 452, when cap 30 is attached to neck 450. At this condition, firstface 333 may be put substantially in a parallel plane to the slantedface of annular step 452 so as to enable first face 333 to slide overstep 452, as explained herein in relation to FIG. 9C.

The plurality of inwardly protruding projections 330 may include aflexible portion 332, connecting interface 331 with first face 333 andsecond face 334.

As elaborated herein in relation to FIG. 4B, cap 30 may be mounted ontoneck 450 of base 40 by moving it in a linear motion indicated by arrow60, so as to seal neck 450. When cap 30 is linearly pushed in thedirection of arrow 60, second face 334 of the plurality of projections330 may meet a respective face 453 of neck 450. As cap 30 is furtherpushed in the direction of arrow 60, flexible portion 332 may becontracted so as to enable face 334 to overcome flange 451, until face333 comes into contact with respective face 452 of neck 450.

When cap 30 is positioned at the first, default position, face 333 ofinwardly protruding projections 330 may be in contact with respectiveface 452 of neck 450. Sleeve 320 may hold inwardly protrudingprojections 330 so as to force first face 333 to interface the slantedface of annular step 452 and thus attach cap 30 to neck 450.

When cap 30 is positioned at the second, rotated position, inwardlyprotruding projections 330 may face respective inwardly facing recessedportions or dents 321 of sleeve 320. At this position, the plurality ofprojections 330 may be allowed to retract into the respective dents 321.At this position, cap 30 may be pulled from neck 450 in a linear motion(e.g., as shown by arrow 61 of FIG. 9C). Face 333 may cooperate withrespective face 452 of neck 450, and may thus retract into respectivedents 321, to leave flange 451 and enable detaching of cap 30 from base40.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C. FIG. 8A is an illustrationdepicting a side view of cap 30, according to some embodiments of theinvention, indicating a section line B-B. FIG. 8B is an illustrationdepicting a top view cross-section of cap 30 along section line B-B,when the inwardly protruding projections 330 are snapped over annularstep 452, according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 8C is anillustration depicting a top view cross-section of cap 30 along sectionline B-B, when the inwardly protruding projections are retracted,according to some embodiments of the invention.

As elaborated herein in relation to FIGS. 6A and 5B, cap 30 may includerotatable sleeve 320, which may be rotated or twisted between a first,default state and a second, rotated state. As explained herein inrelation to FIG. 7, sleeve 320 may include a plurality (e.g., three)recessed portions or dents 321, configured to engulf the respectiveplurality (e.g., three) of inwardly protruding projections 330.

As depicted in FIG. 8B, in the first, default position the sleeve mayprevent the plurality of inwardly protruding projections from retractingso as to hold the cap onto the neck (e.g., element 450 of FIG. 3A).

As depicted in FIG. 8C, in the second, rotated position each of theplurality of inwardly facing recessed portions or dents 321 may face arespective inwardly protruding projection 330. In this position, each ofthe plurality of inwardly protruding projections 330 may retract intoone of the respective inwardly facing dents 321, allowing removal of thecap from the neck.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C. FIG. 9A is an illustrationdepicting a rear view the cap structure according to some embodiments ofthe invention, indicating a section line C-C. FIG. 9B is an illustrationdepicting a cross-section view of cap structure 10 along section lineC-C and indicating an enlargement zone A. FIG. 9C is an illustrationdepicting cross-section view of cap structure 10 along section line C-Cat enlargement zone A.

As shown in FIG. 9B, in a condition where cap 30 is attached to base 40,inwardly protruding projections 330 may snap onto and be juxtaposed tothe annular step 452 at the neck 450 of base 40. This position may holdcap 30 firmly in place and attached to base 40.

When sleeve 320 is turned to the rotated position, as depicted in FIG.8C, inwardly protruding projections 330 may meet respective inwardlyfacing dents 321 and may be free to retract thereto.

A user may then pull cap 30, and thus cause annular step 452 to pushprotruding projections 330 into respective inwardly facing dents 321,allowing cap 30 to detach from neck 450 of base 40. Additionally, oralternatively, a user may continue to rotate sleeve 320 (and thusannular stopper 340, coupled to sleeve 320 via spring 350 and chassis350), causing slanted indentations (e.g., element 341 of FIG. 7) ofannular stopper 340 to cooperate with the slanted portions of inlayedridge (e.g., element 460 of FIG. 4B) to raise cap 30 over neck 450 ofbase 40.

As shown in FIG. 9B, cap 30 may include a ring gasket 370, attached tochassis 380. Ring gasket 370 may be adapted to squeeze against chassis380 when the cap is closed, so as to seal container 20 and prevent flowof liquid therefrom via neck 450.

As shown in FIG. 9C, plate 360 may include one or more protrusions 361,configured to snap onto respective one or more apertures 381 in chassis380, so as to attach chassis 380 to plate 360.

As shown in FIG. 9C, chassis 380 may include a plurality of apertures382, adapted to house a respective plurality of protruding projections330. When cap 30 is attached to neck 450 and positioned in the first,default position, the plurality of apertures 382 may house a respectiveplurality of protruding projections 330 so as to bring first face 333 ofprotruding projections 330 into contact with a slanted face of step 452.As explained in relation to FIG. 3B, annular step 452 may be slanted(e.g., as marked by angle a) in relation to a line substantiallyparallel to a wall of the neck (e.g., as marked by line L1). Theplurality of apertures 382 may house a respective plurality ofprotruding projections 330 so at to align first face 333 of protrudingprojections 330 at the same angle with the slanted face of step 452.

As elaborated herein in relation to FIG. 4B, cap 30 may be mounted ontoneck 450 of base 40 by moving it in a linear motion indicated by arrow60, so as to seal neck 450. When cap 30 is linearly pushed at thedirection of arrow 60, second face 334 of the plurality of projections330 may meet a respective face 453 of neck 450. As cap 30 is furtherpushed at the direction of arrow 60, flexible portion 332 may becontracted so as to enable face 334 to overcome flange 451, until face333 comes into contact with respective slanted face 452 and cap 30 maybe attached to neck 450 of base 40.

When cap 30 is attached to neck 450 and positioned in the first, defaultposition, sleeve 320 may hold inwardly protruding projections 330 so asto force first face 333 to interface with the slanted face of annularstep 452 and thus attach cap 30 to neck 450.

When cap 30 is positioned at the second, rotated position, inwardlyprotruding projections 330 may face respective inwardly facing recessedportions or dents (e.g., element 321 of FIG. 8C) of sleeve 320. At thisposition, projections 330 may be allowed to retract into the respectivedents 321. In this state, first face 333 of protruding projections 330may disconnect from the slanted face of annular step 452 and may thusenable detachment of cap 30 from neck 450 by a linear motion (e.g., asindicated by arrow 61).

It may be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may provide animprovement over state-of-the-art container caps by simplifying motionrequired for attachment and/or detachment of cap 30 from base 40. Suchsimplification may be especially beneficial in conditions where a usermay have limited motion capabilities, such as in a case of a handicappeduser or a user who may be practicing sport while drinking from thecontainer.

For example, state-of-the-art container caps may require screwing thecap onto a container or onto a base element by a rotation motion. Inorder to provide firm closure of the cap, such solutions normallyrequire relatively long rotation of the cap in relation to therespective container (e.g., along two thirds of the container'sperimeter). In contrast, the snapping of protruding projections 330 overstep 452 of neck 450 may provide the required firmness of closure,whereas releasing of protruding projections 330 from step 452 may onlyrequire a slight twisting motion (e.g., along a quarter of thecontainer's perimeter) until protruding projections 330 may meet therespective recessed portions or dents 321 and retract therein.

In another example, embodiments of the invention may allow a user tofirmly seal container 20 by plugging cap 30 into neck 450 in a direct,straight motion (as depicted by arrow 60 of FIG. 4B) while the snappingof protruding projections 330 over step 452 may hold the cap firmly inplace.

In yet another example, when cap 30 is attached to base 40, the one ormore slanted indentations 341 of cap 30 may cooperate with the one ormore slanted portions of inlayed ridge 460 of base 40 to preventrotational movement of cap 30 in relation to base 40. After sleeve 320is turned to the rotated position, allowing protruding projections 330to retract into the respective recessed portions or dents 321,additional twisting of sleeve 320 (and hence of chassis 380, coupled tosleeve 320 via spring 350) may cause slanted indentations 341 tocooperate with the slanted portions of inlayed ridge 460 to raise cap 30over neck 450 of base 40.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is,therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the invention.

Further, features or elements of different embodiments may be used withor combined with other embodiments.

1. A cap structure comprising: a base, comprising: a periphery,configured to be mounted over a rim of an opening of a container; ahollow neck, extending from the base for facilitating flow of liquidfrom the container through and out of the neck; and a flange, extendingannularly around the neck, so as to define an annular step, and a cap,comprising a plurality of inwardly protruding projections configured tosnap over the step when the cap is mounted over the neck.
 2. The capstructure of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a rotatable sleeveconfigured to engulf the plurality of inwardly protruding projections,the rotatable sleeve being further configured to rotate between a firstdefault position to a second rotated position, wherein, in the firstdefault position, the sleeve prevents the plurality of inwardlyprotruding projections from retracting so as to hold the cap onto theneck, and wherein, in the second rotated position, the sleeve isconfigured to allow each of the plurality of inwardly protrudingprojections may retract so as to allow removal of the cap from the neck.3. The cap structure of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises inwardlyfacing dents, wherein, in the second rotated position, each of theinwardly facing dents faces an inwardly protruding projection of saidplurality of inwardly protruding projections, such that each of theplurality of inwardly protruding projections may retract into one of theinwardly facing dents, allowing removal of the cap from the neck.
 4. Thecap structure of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is coupled to a springwhich holds the sleeve in the default position.
 5. The cap structure ofclaim 2, wherein the cap comprises an annular stopper adapted to enterthe hollow neck, and wherein an inner side of the hollow neck comprisesan inlayed ridge adapted to cooperate with the annular stopper so as tostop a motion of the cap when the cap is pressed shut.
 6. The capstructure of claim 5, wherein the annular stopper is associated with thesleeve, wherein the inlayed ridge comprises one or more portions thatare slanted in relation to an axis parallel to a direction of mountingor dismounting of the cap from the neck, and wherein the annular stoppercomprises one or more slanted indentations matching to the one or moreslanted portions of the inlayed ridge and configured to cooperate withthe one or more slanted portions of the inlayed ridge, so as to raisethe cap with respect to the neck when the sleeve is turned.
 7. The capstructure of claim 2, wherein the cap further comprises a chassis,attached to the spring on a first side, and thus coupled to the sleeveon the first side, and attached to the annular stopper on a second side.8. The cap structure of claim 7, wherein the chassis further comprises aplurality of apertures, adapted to respectively house the plurality ofinwardly protruding projections, while enabling the protrudingprojections to reach the annular step when the cap is closed.
 9. The capstructure of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a ring gasketadapted to seal a gap between the chassis and the hollow neck, toprevent leakage of fluid therethrough.
 10. The cap structure of claim 7,wherein the spring is fixed at a first end in an aperture comprised inthe chassis, and thus attached to the chassis and wherein the spring isfixed at a second end in an aperture comprised in the sleeve, thuscoupling the chassis to the sleeve, so as to allow a user to rotate thesleeve in relation to the chassis from the default position to therotated position, and return the sleeve back to the default positionwhen the rotation stops.
 11. The cap structure of claim 1, wherein thecap further comprises a ring, having a first protrusion, wherein thebase further comprises a respective, second protrusion, and wherein thefirst protrusion and second protrusion are connectable by a lace, so asto secure the cap.
 12. A container assembly comprising: a containerconfigured to hold liquid; a base, comprising: a periphery configured tobe mounted over a rim of an opening of the container; a hollow neck,extending from the base for facilitating flow of the liquidtherethrough; and a flange extending annularly around the neck, so as todefine an annular step, and a cap comprising a plurality of inwardlyprotruding projections, configured to snap over the step when the cap ismounted over the neck.
 13. The container assembly of claim 12, whereinthe cap comprises a rotatable sleeve configured to engulf the pluralityof inwardly protruding projections, the rotatable sleeve being furtherconfigured to rotate between a first default position to a secondrotated position, wherein in the first default position the sleeveprevents the plurality of inwardly protruding projections fromretracting so as to hold the cap onto the neck, and wherein, in thesecond rotated position, the sleeve is configured to allow each of theplurality of inwardly protruding projections may retract so as to allowremoval of the cap from the neck.
 14. The container assembly of claim12, wherein the sleeve comprises inwardly facing dents, wherein, in thesecond rotated position, each of the inwardly facing dents faces aninwardly protruding projection of said plurality of inwardly protrudingprojections, such that each of the plurality of inwardly protrudingprojections may retract into one of the inwardly facing dents, allowingremoval of the cap from the neck.
 15. The container assembly of claim13, wherein the sleeve is coupled to a spring which holds the sleeve inthe default position.
 16. The container assembly of claim 13, whereinthe cap comprises an annular stopper adapted to enter the hollow neck,and wherein an inner side of the hollow neck comprises an inlayed ridgeadapted to cooperate with the annular stopper so as to stop a motion ofthe cap when the cap is pressed shut.
 17. The container assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the annular stopper is associated with the sleeve,wherein the inlayed ridge comprises one or more portions that areslanted in relation to an axis parallel to a direction of mounting ordismounting of the cap from the neck, and wherein the annular stoppercomprises one or more slanted indentations matching to the one or moreslanted portions of the inlayed ridge and configured to cooperate withthe one or more slanted portions of the inlayed ridge, so as to raisethe cap with respect to the neck when the sleeve is turned.
 18. Thecontainer assembly of claim 13, wherein the cap further comprises achassis, attached to the spring on a first side, and thus coupled to thesleeve on the first side, and attached to the annular stopper on asecond side.
 19. The container assembly of claim 18, wherein the chassisfurther comprises a plurality of apertures, adapted to respectivelyhouse the plurality of inwardly protruding projections, while enablingthe protruding projections to reach the annular step when the cap isclosed.
 20. The container assembly of claim 12, wherein the cap furthercomprises a ring gasket adapted to seal a gap between the chassis andthe hollow neck, to prevent leakage of fluid therethrough.
 21. Thecontainer assembly of claim 18, wherein the spring is fixed at a firstend in an aperture comprised in the chassis, and thus attached to thechassis, and wherein the spring is fixed at a second end in an aperturecomprised in the sleeve, thus coupling the chassis to the sleeve, so asto allow a user to rotate the sleeve in relation to the chassis from thedefault position to the rotated position, and return the sleeve back tothe default position when the rotation stops.
 22. The container assemblyof claim 12, wherein the cap further comprises a ring, having a firstprotrusion, wherein the base further comprises a respective, secondprotrusion, and wherein the first protrusion and second protrusion areconnectable by a lace, so as to secure the cap.